How bruised Kate Walsh fought to escape jaws of despair

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A more serene Walsh can consider the futureTimes photographer,Alan Walter

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Walsh in the specially designed mask that allowed her to return only five days after surgery on a broken jawBradley Ormesher

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An X-ray shows the damage to Walsh's jaw

Cathy Harris

Last updated at 12:01AM, November 15 2012

Kate Walsh has never been comfortable in the limelight, but the terrible
injury suffered by the Great Britain hockey captain was arguably the most
publicised at the London Olympic Games. Yet Walsh returned to the fray only
five days after surgery on a fractured jaw, having fought a gutsy battle
behind the scenes that is one of the most remarkable to emerge from London
2012.

The 32-year-old defender missed only two matches after making an astonishing
recovery from the operation. Tackling without flinching and distributing
impeccably from the back, Walsh inspired the team to a 3-1 victory over New
Zealand